Croatia

The Best Ruins

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Diocletian’s Palace (Split): Diocletian built his estate on a scale so grand it was converted into a city after he died. What remains of the palace and what’s been built on its footprint is now Split’s Old Town. If you walk around, through, and under it enough, you’ll begin to understand the enormity of Diocletian’s ego.

Pula Amphitheater (Pula): Smaller than Rome’s Colosseum but in much better shape, this amphitheater is more accessible to tourists than its Rome counterpart. In summer it hosts the Pula Film Festival, plus various open-air concerts. If you’re in town when there’s something on, get a ticket no matter who is headlining.

Salona (Solin): The grandeur that was Rome is still evident in the crumbling buildings and foundations of this former outpost of the empire. It isn’t difficult to imagine what Salona looked like in its prime, but it is tough to imagine why Salona was left to sink into the earth for centuries.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.